The Elite Travel Mug, like most of Contigo's drinking mugs, does a very good job at keeping cold drinks cold, and a good job of keeping hot drinks hot. They utilize double wall construction, and are very sturdy, leak-proof (so far), and utilize a button to open a valve that allows the liquid to flow.
I have only been using Contigo autoseal mugs for a short time, but I really like them. Besides the Elite Travel Mug, I also have the Contigo West Loop mug, and the Contigo Elle insulated mug. The Elle mug is made of plastic rather than metal, so this review will basically be a comparison of the Elite and the West Loop mugs, which are both primarily constructed of stainless steel.
Plastic is used in both mugs, but it doesn't seem to affect the taste of drinks. I mostly use the mug for cold drinks, and it does an excellent job of keeping liquids cold, easily lasting 5 hours or more at normal room temperature. Contigo says that their leak-proof mugs are not intended for use with carbonated drinks, but there are really no major issues with drinking soda from them. The seal locks in the gases, which causes pressure to build up, but all you need to do is push the button to release any gas before you drink. Also, boiling hot liquids are not supposed to be poured into these mugs.
The 16 ounce Elite, is marketed as a travel mug, and has rubber at the neck for easy gripping, and also at the base for a nice snug fit a vehicle cup holder. The lid is made of plastic, and screws into a plastic base at the top to the mug. It takes less than half a turn to tighten the lid, and a rubber seal inside the mug prevents leaks. The push-to-drink button is quite large, and easy to locate while driving.
The West Loop mug also holds 16 ounces, but unlike the Elite mug the bottom is constructed entirely of metal, with no rubber grip at the bottom. The all metal construction of the West Loop does a better job of preventing the transfer of heat, as ice melts faster in the Elite mug. The design of the lids is different, as the West Loop has a smaller pushbutton. The top of the lid of the West Loop is slightly angled, while the Elite is more flat.
I am not a coffee drinker, but some that are have reported that coffee gunk will build up inside the West Loop lid, and that it is very difficult to clean. The seal is on the inside lip of the lid, and is also kind of hard to clean as well. For the Elite, the seal is inside the mug and can be easily cleaned. The lid appears to have some parts that are not readily accessible, but may still be easier to clean than the West Loop lid.
For cold drinks, you probably can't go wrong with either mug. I use the West Loop at home, and the Elite travels with me on the drive to work. The West Loop looks a little more slick, while the Elite has a more practical appearance.
The Elite previously was sold on QVC, and seems to be retailing now only as a two pack. It's available in several color combinations (blue/green, red/grey, and raspberry/aqua). I got mine at Costco for $20, and recommend you try there first, as Costco also has coupons where you can get certain items even cheaper. The West Loop currently ranges from $14 to $20, depending on the color. My five star rating is based on the product quality and the price I paid, which is quite a bit lower than Amazon's.
